To be ready for May25th and the need to conform to GDPR This does not include DPO, as you won’t need one. Information you hold You should document what personal data you hold, where it came from and who you share it with. You may need to organise an information audit. Communicating privacy information You should review your current privacy notices and put a plan in place for making any necessary changes in time for GDPR implementation. Individuals’ rights You should check your procedures to ensure they cover all the rights individuals have, including how you would delete personal data or provide data electronically and in a commonly used format. Subject access requests You should update your procedures and plan how you will handle requests within the new timescales and provide any additional information. Lawful basis for processing personal data You should identify the lawful basis for your processing activity in the GDPR, document it and update your privacy notice … [Read more...]

UKBA recently held one of its bi-annual National Conferences, the chance to meet up with colleagues you don't see between one meeting and the next, apart from exchanging emails. Really good to renew relationships, discuss common issues and concerns, and generally realise that you're not alone out there in the big wide world. A common trait we all tend to fall into through time is that we have been there, done that, T-short and all, and believe we know what we are doing well enough. So, first a simple question, could you pass your driving test if you had to take it again? Old habits picked up as tempus fugits, aren't always the best ones to continue with, and you don't always realise you have them. One such event in the dim and distant past was being sent on, not again, a Sales Training course. As circumspect as one might have been at going to these, there was always something that you finally realised was beneficial. Which brings me back to the National Conference. As usual we had a … [Read more...]

As an expert in IT support for small business, I routinely work with clients looking to fully establish an IT department after previously relying for years on the collective efforts of multiple employees from other departments. Establishing a dedicated IT department is certainly no small undertaking. But it is necessary for a small business with IT tasks that have evolved into full-time work. Whether establishing the IT department for the first time or looking to improve an existing department, I encourage my clients to look at the policies they have in place. Every small business IT department should have a least six fundamental policies that govern how the department accomplishes its mission. Those six policies are explained below. 1. Acceptable Use of Technology Workers in the IT department have access to all sorts of technology during working hours. A policy outlining the acceptable use of said technology is critical. This policy defines how computers, mobile phones, fax … [Read more...]

In the digital age in which we now conduct business, having a reliable and robust IT system is not an option. Everything from internal computer systems to local and wide area networks have to be up and running at all times. To lose access to computer systems is to lose access to one of the most important tools for doing business in the modern era. To that end, IT support for small business should always include remote network support. Remote network support is that support offered by consultants and technicians not located on the client's physical premises. It can be offered over the phone, via video conferencing, or through logging on to an actual network for troubleshooting and repair. More importantly, remote network support is now considered mission-critical. It is as important to business as computer systems and networks themselves. Below are three reasons that make the case for having remote network support in place at all times. 3 Reasons for Remote Network IT Support For Small … [Read more...]

How serious a problem is ransomware? According to Symantec, makers of the popular Norton suite of cyber security products, hackers employing the ransomware tactic are making millions of pounds every year. In one particular case they studied, 168 infected users paid a total of £27,064 on just one day alone. Ransomware is big business among hackers who know how to deploy it. Ransomware: What It Is Ransomware is a kind of malware that can be embedded on a computer, mobile device or even within a cloud environment. It uses some sort of threat or intimidation to extort payment of a fine. Hackers can completely lock users out, encrypt data so it cannot be accessed, or take sensitive data and spread it across the internet for public scrutiny. The malware uses cryptovirology (the practice of using cryptography to spread malicious software) to get in and take over a device or cloud environment. The most common form of ransomware is one that encrypts data so it cannot be accessed. Victimised … [Read more...]